Electronic water propelling toy system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a novel toy system incorporating electronic triggering mechanisms to propel water.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel toy system incorporating electronic triggering mechanisms to propel water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water toys, and specifically water spraying toys, have existed for a very long time. From the days of the first squirt gun to today's more elaborate air-pump water canons, children and adults universally find amusement in the ability to douse other people with water. One major element in the appeal of water toys is the element of surprise. The ability to propel water at someone when they least expect it has always been a fun play pattern.

However, many water propelling toy systems have worked by manual pumping methods, such as the aforementioned squirt gun or the time-honored “squirting flower” in one's lapel. Lately, an entire generation of electronic controller, radio frequency (RF) and sensor technologies make possible a novel new approach to water propelling toy systems.

The present invention uses electronic triggering mechanisms to activate a water pump that propels water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of one embodiment of the electronic water propelling toy system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of another embodiment of the electronic water propelling toy system.

FIG. 3 illustrates a component view of one embodiment of the electronic water propelling toy system.

FIG. 4 illustrates a component view of another embodiment of the electronic water propelling toy system.

FIG. 5 illustrates a component view of another embodiment of the electronic water propelling toy system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of components, system configurations, and variations of the use and appearance of the invention in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that these specific details need not be employed to practice the present invention. In other instances, well known components or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of one embodiment of an electronic water propelling toy system. The electronic water propelling toy system 100 includes device housing 110, water hose 120, water reservoir 130, water nozzle 140, sensor 150, ON/OFF button 160 and display 170. The device housing 110 is the external case for the system. The water hose 120 is connected to the device housing 110 and is used to transport water from the water reservoir 130 to the components inside device housing 110. The water nozzle 140 is connected to the device housing 110 and is the output through which water is propelled from the system. The sensor 150 is attached to the device housing device 100. The ON/OFF button 160 and the display 170 are mounted on the device housing 110. Conventional buttons and LEDs are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

It should be noted, however, that this description of the water propelling system 100 is only for illustrative purposes and is not meant to be limited to this configuration. In an alternative embodiment, the water reservoir 130 may not be a separate component and may be incorporated on or in the device housing 110, or there may be no water reservoir used in the system and the water hose 120 may carry water from another water source, such as a faucet, tub, pool, etc. In another alternative embodiment, there may be no water hose 120 or water nozzle 140, and water may be propelled directly out of the water pump. In another alternative embodiment, the sensor 150 may not be mounted to the device housing 100 and may be connected to the housing via a connecting wire, or may not be connected to the device housing at all and communicate with the system wirelessly using technologies such as, but not limited to, RF, infrared, or other electromagnetic signals known in the art. In another alternative embodiment, the water nozzle 140 may not be connected directly to the device housing 110 and may have an external connecting hose whereby the direction and intensity of the water propulsion may be directed either manually or via electronic means. In another alternative embodiment, the device housing 110 may enable the system to be mobile, and may be connected to wheels for land-base mobility functionality, or may be connected to a hull to and enable the unit to float in water, or be connected to wings and/or propellers and enable the unit to fly in the air.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of another embodiment of the electronic water propelling toy system. FIG. 2 further illustrates an antenna 210 and a remote control 220. The antenna 210 is connected to the electronic circuitry inside the device housing 110 and receives digital signals from remote control 220 that control the operation of the water propelling system. These signals could include, but are not limited to, activation and deactivating the sensor 150, activating the release of water from the system, etc. The remote control 220 may use a variety of different technologies to send digital signals to antenna 210 including, but not limited to, radio frequency (RF), infrared, or other electromagnetic signals known in the art.

It should be noted, however, that this illustration of remote control 220 is only for illustrative purposes and is not meant to be limited to this configuration. In alternative embodiments, the remote control may have more or less buttons, or may be of a different shape, etc. It should also be noted, however, that this illustration and description of antenna 210 is only for illustrative purposes and is not meant to be limited to this configuration. In alternative embodiments, the entire antenna 210 may be mounted onto the surface of, or inside, the device housing 110.

FIG. 3 illustrates a component view of one embodiment of the electronic water propelling toy system. The water propelling system 300 includes ON/OFF switch 160, display 170, controller 310, water pump 320, water reservoir 130, water nozzle 140, water hoses 120 and 330, sensor 150 and battery and power regulation 340. The sensor 150 is connected to the controller 310. When the sensor 150 is triggered by a person, animal or object moving in front of it, the sensor 150 sends an electronic signal to the controller 310. The sensor 150 may detect different data including, but not limited to, motion, different types or brightness of light, sound, reflected beam, laser trip wire, ultra sonic, heat, etc.

The water pump 320 is connected to the controller 310. When the controller 310 receives a signal from the sensor 150, the controller 310 sends an electronic signal to the water pump 320, which then draws water from the water reservoir 130 through water hose 120, and pumps the water through water hose 330 to water nozzle 140, which then propels the water from the system.

The ON/OFF switch 160 allows the user to power the system on and off, and the display 170 provides information about the status of the system. The display 170 may utilize a variety of technologies including, but not limited to, simple LED indicators, LCD or LED alpha-numeric text displays, etc. Conventional buttons and displays are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

It should be noted, however, that this description of the water propelling system 300 is only for illustrative purposes and is not meant to be limited to this configuration. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor 150 may not be connected directly to the controller 310, and may communicate to the controller 310 wirelessly using technologies such as, but not limited to, radio frequency (RF), infrared, or other electromagnetic signals known in the art.

It should also be noted that the components of electronic water propelling toy system 300 may be coupled in other configurations known in the art.

FIG. 4 illustrates a component view of another embodiment of the electronic water propelling toy system. In addition to the components described in FIG. 3 of the previous embodiment, the water propelling system 400 includes receiver 410 and antenna 210. In one embodiment, the antenna 210 may be a common omni-directional antenna. Alternatively, other antenna technologies known in the art may be used.

The antenna 210 receives electronic signals from external systems including, but not limited to, remote control 220, other remote controls, or other computing devices such as, but not limited to, a personal desktop computer, a portable computer system, (i.e. a laptop or notebook style computer), a storage device or system, a video game console or system, a hand-held device, email account, or other service or system. The electronic signals received may utilize technologies including, but not limited to, radio frequency (RF), infrared, or other electromagnetic signals known in the art. The antenna 210 may receive signals that control various functions of the system including, but not limited to, powering the system on and off, turning the sensor 150 on and off, controlling the motion of the device housing should it be mobile (on wheels or floating on water), controlling the direction and function of the water nozzle 140, etc.

The receiver 410 is connected to antenna 210 and receives signals from the antenna 210. Receiver 410 is connected to controller 310 and send an electronic signal to the controller 310 when it receives a signal from antenna 210. When the controller 310 receives a signal from the receiver 410, the controller 310 sends an electronic signal to the water pump 320, which then draws water from the water reservoir 130 through water hose 120, and pumps the water through water hose 330 to water nozzle 140, which then propels the water from the system.

It should be noted that the components of electronic water propelling toy system 400 may be coupled in other configurations known in the art.

FIG. 5 illustrates a component view of another embodiment of the electronic water propelling toy system. The water propelling system 500 includes antenna 210 together with sensor 150 and receiver 410. Both sensor 150 and receiver 410 are connected to controller 310. The controller may receive electronic signals from the sensor 150 and/or the receiver 410 in different configurations including, but not limited to, simultaneously, serially, according to user input, or according to preprogrammed instructions such as time, number of signals received from each component, etc.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense. 

1. A system for an electronic water propelling toy system, comprising: a water pump; a controller, the controller coupled to the water pump; a sensor coupled to the controller, the sensor configured to send electronic signals to the controller;
 2. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 1, further comprising: an ON/OFF button coupled to the controller, the ON/OFF button activating and deactivating the controller; a display coupled to the controller, the display providing information about the status of the system;
 3. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 1, further comprising: a water hose coupled to the water pump; a water nozzle coupled to the water hose, the water nozzle configured to control the emission of water;
 4. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 1, further comprising: a second water hose coupled to the water pump; a water reservoir coupled to the second water hose, the water pump configured to draw water from the water reservoir via the second water hose;
 5. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 1, further comprising: an antenna, the antenna configured to receive electronic signals; a receiver coupled to the controller and the antenna, the receiver configured to receive digital signals from the antenna, the receiver configured to send digital signals to the controller;
 6. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 5, further comprising: a remote control, the remote control configured to send electronic signals to the antenna;
 7. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 1, further comprising: a device housing, the device housing designed to contain the components of the system; a set of wheels, the device housing connected to the wheels;
 8. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 1, further comprising: a device housing, the device housing designed to contain the components of the system; a hull, the device housing connected to the hull;
 9. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 1, further comprising: a device housing, the device housing designed to contain the components of the system; a flying apparatus, the flying apparatus consisting of a wings and a propeller, the device housing connected to the flying apparatus;
 10. A system for an electronic water propelling toy system, comprising: a water pump; a controller, the controller coupled to the water pump; an antenna, the antenna configured to receive electronic signals; a receiver coupled to the controller and the antenna, the receiver configured to receive digital signals from the antenna, the receiver configured to send digital signals to the controller;
 11. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 10, further comprising: a remote control, the remote control configured to send electronic signals to the antenna;
 12. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 10, further comprising: an ON/OFF button coupled to the controller, the ON/OFF button activating and deactivating the controller; a display coupled to the controller, the display providing information about the status of the system;
 13. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 10, further comprising: a water hose coupled to the water pump; a water nozzle coupled to the water hose, the water nozzle configured to control the emission of water;
 14. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 10, further comprising: a second water hose coupled to the water pump; a water reservoir coupled to the second water hose, the water pump configured to draw water from the water reservoir via the second water hose;
 15. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 10, further comprising: a device housing, the device housing designed to contain the components of the system; a set of wheels, the device housing connected to the wheels;
 16. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 10, further comprising: a device housing, the device housing designed to contain the components of the system; a hull, the device housing connected to the hull;
 17. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of claim 10, further comprising: a device housing, the device housing designed to contain the components of the system; a flying apparatus, the flying apparatus consisting of a wings and a propeller, the device housing connected to the flying apparatus; 